Treating Neck Pain

What causes neck pain?

Neck pain can be caused by a variety of factors and can be difficult to pinpoint at times. Sometimes even the simplest daily activities may cause this pain, such as sleeping in an odd position. Other times trauma, such as a car crash, may be to blame. If you’re experiencing neck pain it’s understandable to want relief quickly. With stiffness, nagging pain, and decreased ability to move your head, neck pain can be, well a pain. In this article we will try to cover some basic home treatment as well as when to see the doctor about recurring or extreme neck pain that does not respond to home treatment.

Over the Counter

When neck pain strikes you want quick relief and there are many over the counter remedies that are available to do just that. From rubs, to creams, to pain pills we are bombarded on a daily basis by these many pain relief options. Below we’ll explore these options and what they can do for you.

• Pain relief creams, gels, sprays, and rubs- Enjoy localized relief from these remedies commonly containing menthol, a natural compound that changes the way pain is felt in an area. It may also cool the burning pain and provide increased circulation to the area. Other creams may contain capsaicin, a common compound found in chili peppers. This spicy extract can provide a warming sensation and increased circulation to sore muscles or joints for relief of pain quickly.
• Tylenol, Advil… and so much more- There are many pain relievers available over the counter as well. While all of them will provide pain relief, some like Aleve and Advil also provide relief from inflammation due to injury or arthritis. Aspirin also fights inflammation and provides pain relief, but it may not be for everyone. Those taking blood thinners or that have stomach diseases should not take aspirin. Tylenol is a safe choice in most cases and can provide steady pain relief throughout the day.

Natural relief for neck pain

If you aren’t quite ready to reach into your medicine cabinet for relief, there are some natural remedies that may be effective for neck pain. These are usually inexpensive and most are safe for most individuals. Of course if you have any doubts or concerns, be sure to consult your doctor before giving them a spin.

• Cold packs may provide some pain relief and can often help to reduce swelling or inflammation immediately after an injury. Ice can be used from up to 48 hours after an injury to provide comfort to the injured area. Remember to monitor the area for extreme cold while using cold packs and limit this therapy to 20 minutes per session with 2 hours in between to prevent cold injury or frostbite to the area. Monitor small children and the elderly when using this remedy.
• Heating pads or hot water bottles- Heat may help to relieve stiffness and provide increased circulation to injured areas for quicker healing. Be careful s with the cold packs to prevent thermal injury and limit sessions to only 20 minutes with a two hour break. Heating pads should not be used on very young children, the elderly, or those who cannot feel sensation well or could not remove the heating pad themselves.
• Gentle stretching or massage- Gentle stretching or massage may ease stiffness and will prevent joints from locking or muscles weakening. Be sure to use care though and if you feel that the pain is worsening stop and consult your healthcare provider.

When to see the doctor

If you have new or recurring neck pain, numbness, or weakness you should consult your healthcare provider. Injuries that don’t clear up within seven days are also cause for concern and may need medical treatment as well. Other causes for concern in neck pain are extreme stiffness, high fever with rash or lethargy. If these symptoms are present with neck pain please seek emergency medical treatment for the best outcomes possible.

Share:

Knee Joint Anatomy, Function and Problems

Knee anatomy is about the structure of the knee – that is, the parts that makeup the knee. This article also tells you how a normal knee works and provides resources for problems of the knee joint or it’s parts including knee injuries.

Our knee is the most complicated and largest joint in our body. It’s also the most vulnerable because it bears enormous weight and pressure loads while providing flexible movement. When we walk, our knees support 1.5 times our body weight; climbing stairs is about 3-4 times our body weight and squatting about 8 times.

The knee joint is a synovial joint which connects the femur, our thigh bone and longest bone in the body, to the tibia, our shinbone and second longest bone. There are two joints in the knee—the tibiofemoral joint, which joins the tibia to the femur and the patellofemoral joint which joins the kneecap to the femur. These two joints work together to form a modified hinge joint that allows the knee to bend and straighten, but also to rotate slightly and from side to side.

The knee is part of a chain that includes the pelvis, hip, and upper leg above, and the lower leg, ankle and foot below. All of these work together and depend on each other for function and movement.

The knee joint bears most of the weight of the body. When we’re sitting, the tibia and femur barely touch; standing they lock together to form a stable unit. Let’s look at a normal knee joint to understand how the parts (anatomy) work together (function) and how knee problems can occur.

Anatomical terms

Anatomical terms allow us to describe the body clearly and precisely using planes, areas and lines. Instead of your doctor saying “his knee hurts” she can say “his knee hurts in the anterolateral region” and another doctor will know exactly what is meant. Below are some anatomic terms surgeons use as these terms apply to the knee:

• Anterior — if facing the knee, this is the front of the knee
• Posterior — if facing the knee, this is the back of the knee, also used to describe the back of the kneecap, that is the side of the kneecap that is next to the femur
• Medial — the side of the knee that is closest to the other knee, if you put your knees together, the medial side of each knee would touch
• Lateral — the side of the knee that is farthest from the other knee (opposite of the medial side)

Structures often have their anatomical reference as part of their name, such as the medial meniscus or anterior cruciate ligament. The medial meniscus would refer to the meniscus on the inside of the knee, the anterior crucial ligament would be on the anterior side (front) of the knee.

Structures of the Knee

The main parts of the knee joint are bones, ligaments, tendons, cartilages and a joint capsule, all of which are made of collagen. Collagen is a fibrous tissue present throughout our body. As we age, collagen breaks down.

The adult skeleton is mainly made of bone and a little cartilage in places. Bone and cartilage are both connective tissues, with specialized cells called chondrocytes embedded in a gel-like matrix of collagen and elastin fibers. Cartilage can be hyaline, fibrocartilage and elastic and differ based on the proportions of collagen and elastin. Cartilage is a stiff but flexible tissue that is good with weight bearing which is why it is found in our joints. Cartilage has almost no blood vessels and is very bad at repairing itself. Bone is full of blood vessels and is very good at self repair. It is the high water content that makes cartilage flexible.

Share: